Kanał Ostródzko - Elbląski

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The Ostróda - Elbląg Canal is a unique water system, dating back to the 19th century. It is a pearl of the region and Poland, being the only one example of such hydrotechnics on the world's scale. It connects a few west-Masurian lakes with the Vistula Lagoon, covering a 100-meter-long level difference, thanks to the system of sluices and slipways. The last are the rail pulling out devices, propelled mechanically with the power of flowing water.

Designed at the beginning of the 19th century by the Dutch engineer Jakob Georg Steenke, working on the courts of Frederic I and II with the aim of economic water connection of the Eastern Prussia (German "Oberland") with the Baltic Sea - the canal waited almost 20 years for the beginning of the construction (1825-1844).

The difference of the channel levels on the 9,6 km long section changes about over 100 metres, that are covered by the ship thanks to five slipways, propelled with water.